Incinerator

ABSTRACT

A smokeless portable incinerator for solid waste materials such as plastic, foam and straw, liquid waste materials, and other combustible wastes is provided, which includes a cylindrical shell open at the top, with tangentially oriented pilot gas inlets in the side wall of the shell and tangentially mounted forced air inlets of the positive or air inspirating pressurized type. Inlet pipes are provided tangentially oriented to the side wall of the shell for delivery of liquid combustible wastes for combustion. The shell is mounted to an insulated base plate which rests on the floor or other location where wastes are to be burned. The incinerator may be provided with a bottom drain for removal of non-combustible liquids. A water ring can also be provided for delivery of low combustible content liquid wastes, for highly water saturated wastes, and for water delivery to enhance combustion and for smoke elimination.

United States Patent [191 Straitz, 111

[451 Mar. 11, 1975 INCINERATOR [75] Inventor: John F. Straitz, Ill, Jenkintown, Pa.

[73] Assignee: Combustion Unlimited Incorporated,

Elkins Park, Pa.

[22] Filed: Jan. 10, 1974 [2]] Appl. No.: 432,215

[52] US. Cl 110/18 C, 110/19, 110/119 [51] Int. Cl. F23g 5/12 [58] Field of Search 110/7 R, 8 R, 8 C, 18 R, 110/18 C, 19, 119

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,460,489 8/1969 Ehrenzeller et a1 110/8 3,483,832 12/1969 Boll et a1. 1lO/7 3,516,370 6/1970 110/7 3,561,377 2/1971 110/8 3,592,150 7/1971 Lanyon et a1 1 110/7 3,645,218 2/1972 Davis 110/8 3,702,594 ll/l972 Howes 110/8 3,785,303 1/1974 Hopkins 1lO/19 Primary Examinerl(enneth W. Sprague Attorney, Agent, or FirmZachary T. Wobensmith, 2nd; Zachary T. Wobensmith, 111

[57] ABSTRACT A smokeless portable incinerator for solid waste materials such as plastic, foam and straw, liquid waste materials, and other combustible wastes is provided, which includes a cylindrical shell open at the top, with tangentially oriented pilot gas inlets in the side wall of the shell and tangentially mounted forced air inlets of the positive or air inspirating pressurized type. lnlet pipes are provided tangentially oriented to the side wall of the shell for delivery of liquid combustible wastes for combustion. The shell is mounted to an insulated base plate which rests on the floor or other location where wastes are to be burned. The incinerator may be provided with a bottom drain for removal of non-combustible liquids. A water ring can also be pro vided for delivery of low combustible content liquid wastes, for highly water saturated wastes, and for water delivery to enhance combustion and for smoke elimination.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures INCINERATOR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to smokeless waste material incinerators of the forced air type with the air being delivered tangentially to the central axis of the shell of the incinerator.

2. Description of the Prior Art In industrial and other operations it often-becomes necessary to smokelessly burn various quantities and types of waste materials at scattered sites.

In one approach to the recovery of oil spilt on a body of water, pieces of spongelike styrofoam plastic are scattered on the water in the vicinity of the spill where they absorb the spilt oil. The foam is collected and passed through rolls where the oil is squeezed out and recovered. The plastic sponges are reused until they are worn out and are ready for disposal. The disposal of the waste plastic, which is preferably accomplished on board the ship collecting the spilt oil, must be accomplished without causing atmospheric or other pollution with the preferred method of disposal being by burning. Insofar as known to me, prior to my invention no simple smokeless portable incinerator was available that would cheaply and quickly burn styrofoam and other types of waste material and which could be readily moved to any desired location for waste disposal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention an incinerator is provided for smokeless combustion of waste materials which includes a cylindrical shell open at the top and mounted to an insulated base, the shell having gas and air under pressure delivered tangentially interiorly to the shell to produce a swirling effect for complete combustion of the materials placed thereinto for disposal. Delivery pipes are provided for tangential delivery into the shell of combustible liquid waste for burning. A bottom drain is provided for removal of water and other non-combustible liquids. A liquid or water ring can be provided for delivery at the top of the shell of low combustible content liquid wastes, for delivery of low combustible content highly water saturated wastes, or for water delivery to enhance combustion and for smoke elimination.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a smokeless incinerator for combustion of waste materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide an incinerator that is readily portable.

A further object of the invention is to provide an incinerator that is simple to construct and requires a minimum of maintenance.

A further object of the invention is to provide an incinerator that can be utilized for burning of both solid and liquid combustible waste materials.

A further object of the invention is to provide an incinerator open at the top and which has provisions for liquid delivery to the top from the exterior.

Other objects and advantageous features of the invention will be apparent from the description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of one embodiment of the incinerator in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the incinerator of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another embodiment of the incinerator in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawings herein are illustrative merely and that various modifications and changes can be made in the structure disclosed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings and FIGS. 1 to 3 thereof one embodiment of incinerator includes a base shown as being of rectangular shape which base has a top wall 11 with an air space 12 therebelow, side walls 14 and bottom wall 15 which rests on the ground, ship deck or wherever else it is desired to use the incinerator. A layer of insulation 16 is provided between the air space 12 and the bottom wall 15 to prevent heat transmission. The insulation may be fiberglass, non-combustible felt or other suitable heat resistive material, as desired.

The walls ll, 14 and 15 which make up base 10 are preferably fabricated of stainless steel plate welded together at the edges to form a rigid box-like structure not adversely affected by high temperatures.

The wall 11 has a cylindrical shell 20 attached thereto such as by welding which shell 20 has its cylindrical' axis vertically disposed, is open at the top, and also is preferably fabricated of stainless steel.

The shell 20 is provided with a plurality of combined gas air delivery pipes preferably diametrically disposed and mounted to the shell on opposite sides thereof for delivery of a combustible gas-air mixture into the shell in a direction tangential to the vertical side wall of the shell 20. Each pipe 25 is preferably welded to the shell 20 with a T-shaped fitting 27 secured thereto. A plug 28 is provided in the T-fitting 27 in line with the opening in the shell 20 which has a gas delivery pipe 30 therein, an L-shaped fitting 31, a pipe 32 connected to the fitting 31 and a valve 33 connected to the pipe 32 which valve is connected to a source of combustible gas under pressure (not shown). The pipe 30 extends through the casing 26 to the interior 34 of shell 20 with a gas burner tip 35 thereon of well known type with its central axis tangential to the wall of the shell 20.

The outer portion of the T-fitting 27 has an air delivery pipe connected thereto with an air inlet end 41 and a pipe 42 therein extending to a source of air under pressure. The arrangement of pipe 42 and air inlet end 41 acts as a venturi and air discharged from pipe 42 draws in air through openings 43 in end 41, which air discharges through casing 26 past gas burner tip 35 and into the interior 34 of shell 20 creating a combustion enhancing swirling motion within the shell 20.

Suitable ignitors or pilots can be provided (not shown) for initiating combustion of the gas air mixture at tip 35.

Conventional fuel oil or combustible waste liquids to be burned can be introduced into shell 20 through pipes 50 and burner tips 51 with or without atomized heads, mounted by brackets 52 to shell 20 and extending to the source of waste oil (not shown) to be burned. A drain pipe 53 can be provided through wall 11 and through wall 14 for discharge of water or other noncombustible fluids.

It is also preferred that a liquid ring 55 be provided having a supply pipe 56 and a control valve V3. The ring 55 has connected thereto a plurality of small liquid delivery pipes 57 extending therefrom with deflectors at their upper ends for delivering liquid in small streams or in spray form converging in the range from to 30 at the upper and exit end of the shell 20. Liquid supplied to the pipe 56 can be liquid wastes oflow combustible content, can be low combustible content highly water saturated wastes, or water to enhance combustion and for smoke elimination.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, another embodiment of my invention is illustrated which includes a base 100 with a top wall 111, an air space 112 therebelow, side walls 114 and bottom wall 115 all welded together in a similar manner to base 10.

A layer 116 of insulation is provided in base 100 below air space 112 to prevent heat transmission as previously explained.

A cylindrical inner shell 120 is shown mounted to top wall 111 by welding and is open at the top.

An outer shell 121 is provided outside of shell 120 in spaced volute relation of lesser height and, also welded to top plate 111. An expansion joint is provided at the top of the outer shell 121 comprising an inwardly extending flange 59 in overlapping and sliding relation to an outwardly extending flange 60 on the shell 120 with a packing 61 interposed to minimize air leakage.

Both the base 100 and shells 120 and 121 are preferably made of high temperature metal.

The shell 120 is provided with slots 122 therethrough for purposes to be explained. The outer shell 121 has an air delivery pipe 126 secured thereto which is connected to a source of air under pressure (not shown) such as from an axial fan blower and which air is discharged into the space between the shells 120 and 121.

Gas burners 125 are provided which extend through both shells 120 and 121 for discharge into the interior 134 of shell 120. The burners 125 are located for discharge at a tangent to the side wall of the shell 120 to create a swirling action within the shell 120.

The burners 125 include burner tips 135, ignitors (not shown), gas delivery pipes 130 and valves 133 connected to a source of combustible gas under pressure (not shown).

A pipe 150 in the shape of a liquid ring is provided for introduction of combustible liquid such as waste oil into shell 120 through burner tips 151 for burning. A bottom drain pipe 153 is provided in base 100 for draining of noncombustible liquids.

The mode of operation will now be pointed out.

Waste material to be burned which may be in solid form is placed or thrown within the shells or 120. The gas burner pipes or 125 supply gas into the interior of shells 20 or 120 with ignition of the gas initiated by ignitors (not shown) and air under pressure is delivcred into pipes 25 or 125 from casings 40 or 126 either under positive pressure or inspirated pressure. The gas air mixture swirls within the shells 20 or in the shell 120 from slots 122 with a helical flame configuration causing high heat and forced combustion of the materials introduced into the shell 20 or 120.

. The ring 55 and pipes 57 extending therefrom are effective for liquid delivery in stream or spray form for burning of its combustible content and for delivery of water into the rising stream of flame and of products of combustion. The liquid thus converging into the rising stream is effective to enhance combustion and to eliminate smoke.

If liquid wastes in the form of oil or other combustible fluid are to be burned they are preferably introduced into the shells 20 or through pipes 50 orand burner tips 51 or 151 for burning.

Non-combustible liquid, such as rain water, can be removed from shells 20 or 120 through drain pipes 53 or 153 as desired.

It will thus be seen that apparatus has been provided with which the objects of the invention are attained.

I claim:

l. A smokeless incinerator which comprises:

a base,

shell means comprising a cylindrical shell of metal having a side wall and with its cylindrical axis vertical,

said shell being open at the top to the atmosphere and for the deposit into the shell of solid waste materials for combustion,

said shell being mounted on and extending upwardly from said base,

means for supplying air under pressure into said shell means in a direction tangential to the side wall of said shell,

means for supplying combustible gas for tangential delivery into said shell,

a liquid ring contiguous to the top of said shell, and

a plurality of delivery pipes extending from said ring for delivery of liquid upwardly above the upper margin of said shell for admixture with the rising stream of gases from said shell.

2. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 which further comprises delivery pipes for delivery of combustible liquid into said shell in a direction tangential to said side wall and above said means for supplying air.

3. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell is of'high temperature metal.

4. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell means is a single shell.

'5. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell means includes a solid outer shell and an inner shell spaced from said outer shell and provided with slots therethrough communicating with said outer shell.

6. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 5 in which the space between said inner and outer shells is in the form of a volute.

7. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said base and said shell means are of high temperature metal.

8. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said delivery pipes deliver liquid in converging relation to the rising stream of gases.

9. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said liquid ring has a connection to a supply of combustible containing liquid. 

1. A smokeless incinerator which comprises: a base, shell means comprising a cylindrical shell of metal having a side wall and with its cylindrical axis vertical, said shell being open at the top to the atmosphere and for the deposit into the shell of solid waste materials for combustion, said shell being mounted on and extending upwardly from said base, means for supplying air under pressure into said shell means in a direction tangential to the side wall of said shell, means for supplying combustible gas for tangential delivery into said shell, a liquid ring contiguous to the top of said shell, and a plurality of delivery pipes extending from said ring for delivery of liquid upwardly above the upper margin of said shell for admixture with the rising stream of gases from said shell.
 1. A smokeless incinerator which comprises: a base, shell means comprising a cylindrical shell of metal having a side wall and with its cylindrical axis vertical, said shell being open at the top to the atmosphere and for the deposit into the shell of solid waste materials for combustion, said shell being mounted on and extending upwardly from said base, means for supplying air under pressure into said shell means in a direction tangential to the side wall of said shell, means for supplying combustible gas for tangential delivery into said shell, a liquid ring contiguous to the top of said shell, and a plurality of delivery pipes extending from said ring for delivery of liquid upwardly above the upper margin of said shell for admixture with the rising stream of gases from said shell.
 2. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 which further comprises delivery pipes for delivery of combustible liquid into said shell in a direction tangential to said side wall and above said means for supplying air.
 3. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell is of high temperature metal.
 4. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell means is a single shell.
 5. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said shell means includes a solid outer shell and an inner shell spaced from said outer shell and provided with slots therethrough communicating with said outer shell.
 6. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 5 in which the space between said inner and outer shells is in the form of a volute.
 7. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said base and said shell means are of high temperature metal.
 8. A smokeless incinerator as defined in claim 1 in which said delivery pipes deliver liquid in converging relation to the rising stream of gases. 